My anxieties
on this subject will never carry me beyond the use of fair and honorable
means of truth and reason; nor have they ever lessened my esteem for
moral worth, nor alienated my affections from a single friend, who did
not first withdraw himself. Wherever this has happened, I confess I have
not been insensible to it: yet have ever kept myself open to a return
of their justice. I conclude with sincere prayers for your health and
happiness, that yourself and Mr. Adams may long enjoy the tranquillity
you desire and merit, and see in the prosperity of your family what is
the consummation of the last and warmest of human wishes,
Th: Jefferson.
LETTER XIX.--TO MR. NICHOLSON, January 29, 1805
TO MR. NICHOLSON.
Washington, January 29, 1805.
Dear Sir,
Mr. Eppes has this moment put into my hands your letter of yesterday,
asking information on the subject of the gun-boats proposed to be built.
I lose no time in communicating to you fully my whole views respecting
them, premising a few words on the system of fortifications. Considering
the harbors which, from their situation and importance, are entitled to
defence, and the estimates we have seen of the fortifications planned
for some of them, this system cannot be completed on a moderate scale
for less than fifty millions of dollars, nor manned in time of war with
less than fifty thousand men, and in peace, two thousand.
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